Darcy survived his ordeal with just a small bald patch to show for it Credit: RSPCA

A cat has managed to survive a 150 mile round-trip whilst trapped in the engine bay of a Mercedes Benz.

Four-year-old tabby cat Darcy is thought to have taken shelter from the rain under the car and somehow got trapped in the engine bay.

The owner of the car made the startling discovery when she took her car to the garage after returning from a trip from Cannock, in Staffordshire, to Manchester.

Staff at Fix Auto in Crossfield Industrial Estate, Lichfield, first became aware there was a problem when the car’s owner reported its engine warning light had come on and yet there were no obvious sign of a problem.

After a test drive, they noticed a strange burning smell rising from under the bonnet and then, on closer inspection, discovered fur wrapped around the engine’s alternator.

Fearing the worst, they inspected the engine itself, only to find Darcy alive and well in the engine.